Vaginal speculum



Dec. 2, 1930. I DAMRON 1,783,602

VAGINAL SFECULUM Filed Oct. 29, 1928 WWI/70? 7 f7. 0/! NEON PatentedDec. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES MILTON H. DAMRON, OF LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIAVAGINAL srncuiium Application filed October 29, 1928. Serial No.315,842. i

My invention relates to vaginal speculums, and has for its primaryobject the provision of an instrument of this character for use byphysicians and surgeons in making examinations or performing operationsrelating to parts which are only accessible through the vagina, and theconstruction and form of the instrument which provides for expanding thevaginal canal in a manner not to obstruct the vision of the surgeonwhile the patient is being operated upon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vaginal speculumhaving means which while fully exposing the orifice of the uterus ischaracterized in ways that will protect the flesh of the person operatedupon against injury by surgical instruments employed while operating.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a weight formingelement in association with a dilating means of the instrument whichfunctions to allow for free drainage of the organ under treatment.

My invention further resides in the novel features of construction ofthe instrument as herein described and claimed, and wherein Figure 1 isa front view of the instrument;

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation of the instrument.

In practice, I employ an integral structure 5 which is preferably formedof metal, the same having a guard 6 curved longitudinally to adaptitself to the parts of the body exterior of the vaginal canal, the samehaving an aperture 7 from which projects a downwardly-extending dilatinglip 8. This lip 8 and the aperture 7 allow for an introduction of fluidinto the uterine canal and the lip serves further to effect the step ofexpanding the vaginal canal in a manner which will manifest itself asthe description advances.

Leading in a downward direction from the guard 6 is a weighted arm 9angularly disposed with reference to the lip 8 and the said guard 6.This arm is formed on its front surface with a gutter 10- whichterminates at its upper end at the base of the said aperture 7, and atits lower end at the extreme of the arm, for which latter reasondralnage of the vaginal canal can be readily effected. The walls of thegutter merge directly onto the inner surface of the lip 8. The arm isshaped and disposed with respect to the guard 6 and the said lip 8 sothat it will properly conform to the anatomy of the patient, and byconstructing the same so as to give appreciable or suitable weightthereto, the lip will be assisted in the work of keeping the instrumentin proper position during the operation. It, therefore, serves to dilatethe vaginal canal and to maintain a position of the guard 6 where itwill firmly overlie the flesh of the patient at points around the vaginaso as to protect the flesh from injury by, the surgical instrumentsemployed.

It is thought that the manner of using the instrument will be clear tothose skilled in the practice of surgery. When an operation is conductedemploying the method of diathermy, the guard 6' may be used as aterminal for a carrier of electric current.

The device, while being used as a vagnial speculum, protects the skinand muccous membrane of and around the rectum and vagina from accidentalcontamination of the surgeons instruments. Such instruments, in someoperations, are introduced inside the uterus, and if contaminated mightproduce peritonitis and the death of the patient.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vaginal speculum, a body member having a guard formed with anaperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, alip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and aweight forming arm depending from the guard.

2. In a vaginal speculum, a body member having a guard formed with anaperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, alip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and aweight forming arm depending from the guard and formed with a gutterwhose upper end terminates at the aperture.

8. In a vaginal'speculum, a body member having a guard formed with anaperture to cover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, alip extending in one direction from the base of the aperture, and aWeight forming arm depending from the guard and formed With a gutterWhose upper end termiininates at the aperture, the said arin having itsWalls merged directly into the Walls of the lip.

4. A vaginal speculum comprising a body having a dilating lip, anapertured guard from which the lip extends, the guard being disposed tocover the flesh at all points around the vaginal orifice, and Weightmeans for urging a dilating force against the lip when the instrument isapplied.

MILTON H. DAMRON.

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